A wild hawk chase? (Open)

[Tristam]

I'm looking for a few good players to head into the mountains with me. We start chasing a hawk but who knows what we'll really find up there, eh?

Tristam took a long sip of his tea and placed the cup back on the saucer with a clink. “So, let me be sure I have understood you correctly.” Tristam began. He had to choose his words carefully for the man who summoned him, Sir Gerald Valeena, was known for his short temper. “You have put out a call for adventurers to catch a bird for you?” Tristam inquired.

“Well a Windlancer falcon is not just any bird. You can see that for yourself.” Sir Gerald gestured around the walls of his study. It was a shrine to his beloved hunting hawk, Harold the Red. Portraits of Harold perched defiantly on Sir Gerald’s wrist or hunting on the wing dominated the room. There were even trophies mounted on little plaques as testament to his hunting skills. “Hunting has just not been the same since Harold passed on and only another Windlancer falcon will do. I’m willing to outfit your entire expedition and add a healthy bonus for each egg or fledgling you can bring back.” Sir Gerald boomed. “Oh and there is a bounty on the heads of the last two expeditions I sent out there. No one disappears into the blue with my equipment, I tell you. No one.”

Tristam looked uneasily around at the others. “Well it is a most intriguing proposal, Sir Gerald. What do the rest of you think? Up for a little mountaineering?”

[Fitz]

Absentmindedly Kuldroc (http://www.althanas.com/world/showpost.php?p=135727&postcount=1) rolled three dice about in his large open hand. His face turned up in a boyish grin in response to the gentle clicking sounds they made, albeit slightly obstructed by his short protruding tusks. “What’s that boss? Yeah yeah, find the bird, catch the bird, not hard, Kul’s be bestest at finding stuff.” Kuldroc turns in his chair to face Sir Gerald “the very bestest” he adds with an emphatic nod before the dice draw his full attention once more.

Kuldroc knew he was playing it a little thick, but he doubted this inbred birdbrain would notice. Hell with aristos like this they’d be confused if he acted any less the fool. In their minds you were either dumb or dangerous. Kuldroc had learned long ago it was best they chose dumb.

[Tristam]

"Such is your reputation, Kuldroc." Sir Gerald sniffed and wrinkled his nose slightly. "Between the two of you, you'll have brains and brawn. More than enough to outwit the mountain and the bird, eh? You'll find swift horses and well equipped saddlebags in the stables and my storerooms are open to you if there is anything else you need." The aging knight slid open a door of his desk and removed a scroll from it. "This is a map showing where the falcon's last known nesting grounds were. Probably moved on from there, of course, but its a place to start." He handed the scroll over to the scholar

Sir Gerald stood up and Tristam rose at the same time. "Don't fail me lads. Good luck." Sir Gerald rumbled. Sensing the interview was over and that he had apparently accepted the job, Tristam turned to leave. Kuldroc would not have been his first choice for a traveling companion. In fact, the half orc looked more like one that should be hunted down not hunting.

Tristam began to breathe in a deep calming rhythm. Take it easy, Tristam. Think of this as an opportunity to understand orcish culture. After all, Sir Gerald would not have sought him out if he wasn't trustworthy. Tristam took another glance at the deadly looking brute. I'm not believing a word of this am I?

Tristam realized he could not keep ignoring Kuldroc forever. "So, have you ever hunted like this before?" Tristam winced as his voice squeaked towards the end of the question.

[Fitz]

“No worries sir, we’ll bring you back a birdy. Kuldroc is on the case.” Realizing that the interview had concluded successfully the Half-orc rose clumsily to his feet and gave the pompous knight a sloppy saluted with the wrong hand. Turning towards the door he followed out the sage looking individual who had carried out much of the negotiation with an acceptable proficiency. How much help this bookish whelp would prove in the mountains, that would be another matter.

Once Tristram and Kuldroc had moved beyond Sir Gerald’s office towards the stables the half-orc's posture improved dramatically. His boyish grin took on a sharper gleen as he spoke softly to his new associate continueing down the corridors “Well that went well enough aye? All be it our benefactor is even more of an insufferable ass then I had anticipated.” The hunter raised his chin and extended his neck in pantomime of the knights stuffy appearance “Yes, no lesser beast could possibly do for a hunter of my stature.” The half-orc cast a glance over towards the human to gauge his performance before returning to his regular posture. “As if the breadth and bounty of nature were his play thing.”

When Tristram asked if he had ever “hunted like this before” the half-orc stopped in his tracks deeply wounded by the statement. Realizing quickly, however, that no formal introduction had yet been made between them Kuldroc extended his hand in friendship towards the man. “I am Kuldroc Thrasher, of the Brothers Thrasher. Hunting sir, is what I do. It is all I do. Man or beast , trinket or treasure I’ll find it and bring it back. All for the right price of course.”

[Tristam]

Tristam could not believe it as Kuldroc threw off his stupidity like a cloak. Despite all the countless lessons about never accepting things at face value, Tristam had been completely gulled and by a half orc no less. The scholar certainly felt unworthy of his title this day. His expression was one of bemused shock when Kuldroc glanced at him but the hunter's impression had little to do with it.

Tristam realized he had said the wrong thing the moment Kuldroc stopped in his tracks. After the introduction, Tristam let out the breath he did not realize he was holding and shook the hunter's hand. "My name is Tristam. I am a scholar, naturalist, and priest of Aurelius. I recently wrote a treatise on the flora and fauna of the Windlancer Mountains and apparently Sir Gerald was impressed. In the interest of full disclosure I should admit that I surveyed mostly the base of the mountains." Tristam tapped the map in his hand against his free palm. "Whereas we will need to go quite a bit higher. I'm glad to have one of your strength and experience on the journey. Most of my hunting is done in libraries."

[Fitz]

Seeing that he had effectively set the scholar strait as to his nature and abilities Kuldroc clapped an open palm across the man shoulder. Though the blow was clearly reserved in strengths and intended as a friendly display of solidarity it was still a weighty strike leaving an echoing thud in the man’s chest. “No worries, friend. To be fair I’m more of a city folk myself, and I am new to this region. My Skills are sharp though, and I doubt we’ll have much worry if you are familiar with the beast we are after. I’d wager the men will be the easiest to find. I doubt they did much to conceal their trail. Most glory seekers are an arrogant lot.”

Having reached the side entranced where the Knights servants had let them in Kuldroc retrieved his Trident, blade, and nets. After a quick check it seemed that his gear was in order. Either the servants were good thieves, or honest folk. He waited for the scholar to collect any of his belongs, which the servants had insisted we leave behind. “Shall we make are way to the stable? Or are there some last minute arrangements you need to settle?”

[Tristam]

Kuldroc's hearty back slap sent Tristam stumbling toward an antique suit of plate armor in the main hall. The subsequent steps and body twisting reminded one of flapping chicken but Tristam avoided the armor with only his dignity intact.

"No need to worry. No harm done." Tristam assured the hunter. "Aside from this minor injury." Tristam held up the parchment scroll which his clenched fist has crumpled. "Nothing a few hours under a heavy rock won't cure."

At the side door, Tristam collected a iron shod quarterstaff, a pair of daggers and a set of three darts along with a shoulder bag. "On to the stables. I have already payed my landlord and I try to travel light whenever possible."

The stables were across a central courtyard which was quiet apart from a few servants rushing about. Sir Gerald lavished money on his hunting but pinched pennies until they screamed for the rest of his household. Accordingly, the stables were filled with grooms and farriers that attended to his lordship's horses. A balding man with a bushy brown mustache and a slight limp stood by the doors surveying the workers. He turned as Kuldroc and Tristam approached and looked none too pleased to see them.

"Let me guess." he rumbled, "Another pair of fools heading up into the mountains."

"Well, ye.." was as far as Tristam got before the stablemaster cut him off.

"You're getting the worst of the lot and that's flat." The master of horse decreed. "We've lost too many of the best on his Lordship's folly and I'll not lose another! Come on then." The man turned away and limped on ahead of them into the stable.

[Fitz]

Kuldroc could appreciate a man who knew how to travel light. It would make the trip up into the mountains that much easier. he was also glad to see that his bookish companion wasn’t foolish enough to travel these lands unarmed. How well the man could handle himself with those weapons was yet to be answered. Kuldroc was not much of a horse person. He didn’t have issues with the beasts, it was just that he preferred to have his feet on the ground. While the beasts would be good for carrying their loads, they would also place limitations on where they could travel, and how quietly. Not to mention the possible liability a poorly trained horse could be in a fight.

Kuldroc couldn’t help but like the balding mans frank nature. It was evident that his loyalty lay with the beasts in his charge, not the one that paid him. It was also safe to assume that even the “worst” horse of Sir Gerald’s stable was finer than most common folks could maintain. “I can respect your situation sir. Perhaps we can help each other. If you can tell us anything about these men who went before us it will make tracking them that much easier. Also what brand does your master use?”

[Atenathon]

out of character quote:
Hey, hope you don't mind if I join in

They Nameless Hero started into a sprint throught the halls of the bussy body barron. "I can't belive that he sent me the last and slowest servant to deliver the mesage, and no doubt that idiot is still bussy with his "bussiness" that he had to take care of." The Knight had sent a therd servant to find some one with skills that could complete the trio he had imagined. Hero had come as swiftly as he could, but that stupid servant would contiualy stop at every chance he could and go to the aly ways to gamble. Eventualy Nameless was given a map and told to get to the Knight's home on his own. That plus the fact that the pompous man would not stop talking, caused him to be delayed in meating with his apointed travaling companions. And despite all of that, Hero was not the least bit angery at any of it.

"So, another young dote to seach for the master's halk?" The searvant was a middle aged man who apparently hated young people. He had a grey go-te and short cut hair. "Come I will take you to your two friend. (young stupid draconian half breed, I don't see why he was let to live.)" The hot headed servant continued to mumble and groan. Allot of it Hero caught.

The finaly got to the other two that would be travaling to the mountians on the seach. Hero was surprised that there was a nother person on this trip that was half human like him. It gave some comfort to Hero that he wasnt the only one like that.
"Hail, I am to be one of you travaling partners and its a plesure to meet you." Hero gave a short bow and had a simle for the first time in sevral ten-days since he left the mosk in the mountians of Corone. I'm afrade that I don't have a name, but if you must call me something you may call me Hero.

[Tristam]

I have no trouble with our do becoming a trio. Welcome aboard.

"If they're not dead, I doubt you'll find them wandering the mountains bird hunting." The master of horse snorted. "Still, the first group was a trio of local hunters. Specialists in nets and snares with a bowman if it came to bringing down the mother. Took three of our best mountain steppers. Years of training wasted on those clap-brained morons!" The master slammed his hand down on a stall door as he passed by it.

"Second group was the master's own falconer and huntsman." The stablemaster went on. "Took their own far-striders hoping to reach the mountains in time to track down the first group. Never heard from them either." He stopped and shook his head. "Wouldn't have pegged them for deserters, but no mountain would stop them. Run off or dead."

The master of horses stopped before the last set of stalls in the stable. "Now these are your horses." The horses looked heavy and strong as opposed to the light and nimble horses they had passed on the way. "These ladies are bred for endurance, lads. They'll still be carrying you when other horses are reduced to bones and hide. Treat them well or its me you answer to."

Tristam nodded in what he hoped was a sober manner. "Understood sir. They will want for nothing under our care."

At this point, the Nameless Hero arrived and made his introductions. "Great another one!" The master of horse spit into the ground. "Victor, Charles! He bellowed. "We'll need Pira saddled too!"

Tristam looked over the newcomer warily but nodded back to his bow. Tristam chuckled at what he wished to be called. "The title of Hero is one that has to be earned in my opinion. If you are nameless, then Nameless I shall call you. I am Tristam and this is Kuldroc."

[Lacchi]

Well, here's hoping I don't make a mistake with my very first post here... Lacchi's been around my mind for awhile, but his actual personality hasn't ever really been cemented before, so bear with me if he randomly changes moods, better yet, let me know if you think it's not quite working for him. :)


Horses, it had turned out, weren't all that keen to share their space with interlopers of the canine variety. Nor were other dogs for that matter, although Lacchi had known that already, which was why he'd tried the stables rather than the kennels of this fancy rich fellow's estate when he'd meandered through the gates the night before. He came often enough to this place that most of the outdoor staff, and the kitchen folk, knew him by sight and no longer tried to send him running back to wherever he'd come from. In fact, they'd all but given up even trying to keep him away, and, for some reason only they knew, hadn't reported a stray wanderer to the lord. Which was in Lacchi's favour, so he wasn't about to protest the laxity, nor the free food and chance at easy shelter.

But still, he was usually a little more circumspect than to actually be around and underfoot when the staff needed to get things done without bother. They deserved that, at the very least, for helping him out with no reward, huh, they didn't even know he wasn't just the average stray. However, he'd been tired and full and felling particularly lazy last night and so had simply helped himself into the first uncaring horse's stall that he could find and had fallen asleep in the straw to the huge, hoofed beast's idle curiousity.

The next thing he knew loud voices and shouts and bangs were making it seem as though someone had started a riot and he was right in the middle of it. But that wasn't quite right, because he was still snug against the wall and a leg, a very large, very sturdy looking leg, was resting right in front of his muzzle. Besides which, he quickly recognized the old grumbler's voice and suddenly remembered what he'd overheard while chowing down beneath his table. Which meant that it was morning and he'd overslept... Lacchi yawned, his jaw stretching wide open and revealing the inside of his mouth to one unbothered horse and two, rather startled, stable hands. Not that the inside of his mouth was startling, they just hadn't expected to find a dog sleeping with the horses. The thief ended his yawn with a suitably high-pitched, whining warble and a snap of his teeth together, then stood and sauntered as casually as he could between the two men, who had their hands full with saddles and other such tack and stuff.

Once past them, just out of their way, he yawned again and stretched his muscles out with relish. It was while he was bent forward, forelegs out in front and rump high above his head that he finally took note of the four other folk who weren't rushing about with chores to be completed. Lacchi blinked up at them, maintaining his pose for almost a full minute as he wondered how the lord had managed to find such an eclectic group, his ears twitching and his black nose quivering with all the scents and sounds of the place. Well, it didn't very much matter...

The black and white hound finished his stretch and shook his coat free of any clnging straw before he whuffled faintly and trotted over with an eagerly waving tail to say good morning to the Stable Master. And maybe meet the other three, he could silently wish them luck on their way, out chasing a hawk-ish type bird and the last few who had decided to try their luck at the same task. Or, so he assumed they must be, since the Lord would probably have been out with them, happily showing off his beasts to his guests otherwise.

[Atenathon]

good to have you with us
Nameless was curious to learn more about the two that he would working with, but that could wait till later. His curent chalenge was to prove himself to his new companions and show them why he desurved the title Hero. He knew that he couldn't use THAT skill unless it was an emergiancy, so Nameless would just have to setle for his steel.
"I'm sure that in due time you will understand my name, till then Nameless is just fine."
Hero had a feeling that it was going to be just as hard convinceing them that he wasn't just an nother freek draconian-human half bread as it was to search for work.

Suddenly Nameless noticed the wolf that was struting over to himself and the others. The wolf didn't feel the same as the average wolves that he had encountered in the wilderness. This one was, different, but how? Nameless could not quite figure out.







Come on! some one post please!!!!!!:(

[Tristam]

The fearful whinnies of the horses alerted them to Lacchi's approach before the hound itself appeared. The master of horse sighed as one more indignity arrived to sour his already bitter mood. Tristam looked askance at Lacchi and turned to the master in confusion.

"Are you master of hounds as well?" Tristam inquired. "It is most unusual to find a dog in a stable is it not?"

"Well of course it is you bloody great!" The master of horse paused in mid insult and smiled. Turning the thought over in his, he smiled even wider. It was the smile of one who has found a way to remove one of his problems with the other. "That is to say, Lacchi here has sort of adopted us. He doesn't really want to be anywhere else. But from what I've seen of him he is keen of wits and keen of nose. Maybe he could be of help in your hunt. He's no bird dog but I bet he could track missing horses. He knows the scent of this place." The master turned as if addressing the dog directly. "What do you think?

[Lacchi]

For a moment, as they all turned to stare at him, Lacchi had to wonder what it was that had caught their interest. He was only a dog after all, and a mutt at that. Then he remembered what he shouldn't have forgotten in the first place, this was not the kennels and they had never seen him before. And by 'they' he meant the three adventurous type folks. Obviously, the stablemaster knew him, just as he knew the stablemaster. But the reassuring fact that he'd only caught their attention because he was in the wrong place didn't stop his tail from drooping slightly at their stares and his bouncy trot from slowing into an uncertain walk.

He didn't like being stared at, and the master looked rather put out by his appearance, which only made it worse. Almost, the two of them sighed in unison, for entirely different reasons of course, but no one else would know what the dog was thinking, now would they? He tried to distract himself from the conversation by sniffing around the not quite human fellow's feet and so missed the tell-tale widening of that smile. Had he seen it, he probably would have been a little more wary of sticking around, but he had not and stiffened in shock when it was suggested that he could help these folks with their hunt. Was the explanation the stablemaster had just given them about him lost on the bald fellow? Lacchi did not want to be anywhere else! He didn't want to go anywhere else! He liked it right here, thank you very, very much! Yeh great, hair-less fool, fer volunteering me I'll... Well, he didn't actually think there was anything he could do about it, apart from running away right now or biting the man.

Yet, he was of the opinion that perhaps the latter option was a little harsh, and he didn't want to run away because that would prove to everyone here that he had been listening and had actually understood the conversation. So, although he shrank away when the old man's gaze swung his way, he plunked his behind down to stop himself from running and lifted up a friendly paw. He dropped his lower jaw and panted to add to the image of nothing more than a hopeful mutt looking for treats because it's getting attention. What do I think, yeh great lump! I think yeh'll be glad ta be rid'a me, but I'll get them horses back for ya anyhow. Leastways, so long as it means I'll be coming back! Of course, they couldn't hear his thoughts, which was why he was so casually insulting the man, but that was beside the point. He was annoyed, although it was more at himself than anyone else. He'd walked himself into the trap good and proper and it would have to be himself who walked him out of it.

[Atenathon]

Hero saw the cainine's actions and saw some what of a lie behind them. This one is smart, sort of like lightning who I left out side. Then Nameless's thaughts went back to his ever trust-worthy friend that always folowed him and listned patiently. That's very different for a wolf, acting the oposite of what it feels. Nameless put of the thaughts of the wolf and consentrated on the task at hand. Nameless had plenty to do with out trying to figure out a lone wolf that had contented its self with the stables of a barn.

Unfortunately Nameless let his thaughts show on his face and was afraid that he had offended this new stranger. Nameless pulled a piece of smoked beaf that he was saving for lunch and offered it to Lacchi, hoping that he would take his appologies.

[Fitz]

Kuldroc leaned against a stall post stoically observing as his partnership quickly grew into a quartet. His eyes darkened as he realized the reward would be cut as well. At least the hound would be sated with a soup bone or four. Many had referred to him as a bloodhound when it came to his work, it would be interesting to observe this rangy mutt at work. As to the nameless hero, well all bets were off there. He seemed eager. Kuldroc wondered if this bravado was born of talent or inexperience, time would surely tell. At the very least, should things go ugly he will make an excellent target.

While the half-orc was less an impressed by his new companions he was at least contented with the stable master’s pick of horses. All three mares were strong sturdy examples of their breed, workers that could bare a load and labor for long hours. Walking into the stall Kuldroc calmly stroked the muscular back of a dark chestnut mare, she stood at just under sixteen hand and seemed to posses the balanced temperament typical of a warmblood though he was sure she had inherited some of her father’s temper. “These are good strong horses sir, they shall come back to you the same.”

Kuldroc addressed the Horse master and Tristam with the same glance “I am unfamiliar with the bounty of the Whitelace Mountains. Will we be needing oats and water for the horses or will they be able to range?”

[Atenathon]

Nameless went to one of the horses and stroked its long face. Nameless had no doubt that the great beasts could find food for themselves out in the mountians, but better safe than sorry.

"I think that we should take food for them, just in case there isn't anything for them to search for. That way if there isn't much to range for them, they still have food."

Nameless wasn't sure what everyone else thaught, but he knew that it would be wise to prepair for anything.